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Scottish football: Hibernian appoint Alan Stubbs as the club's new head coach

Last Updated: 25/06/14 7:56am

Alan Stubbs: Named new head coach of Hibernian

Hibernian have appointed Alan Stubbs as the club's new head coach.

Former Bolton, Celtic, Everton and Sunderland defender Stubbs, 42, arrives at Easter Road from the Goodison Park club where he had been Under-21 coach for six years.

Stubbs succeeds Terry Butcher after he was sacked following the Edinburgh club's relegation into the Scottish Championship after a penalty shoot-out, play-off defeat by Hamilton Accies.

The Englishman's first game in charge will be the pre-season friendly at Berwick Rangers on Saturday, July 12, before he attempts to plot Hibs' return to the top flight, with city rivals Hearts and ambitious Rangers among the clubs competing for the two promotion places from the second tier.

Hibernian have appointed Alan Stubbs as their new head coach, and the new man says a big challenge awaits.

Stubbs said: "To be given this opportunity with Hibernian is a great privilege and a real honour. It is a massive club with huge potential.

"I'm excited about the future here at Hibernian and what we can all achieve together at the club. This is the start of the journey.

"The Scottish Championship will be a tough division, but I'm confident that if we approach the challenge with enthusiasm, optimism and belief then we can achieve success.

"I've been at Everton for almost six years and now I believe I'm ready to take on the role of head coach here at Hibernian.

"I would like to thank Everton for giving me the chance to take up this position with Hibernian and now I just can't wait to get started; helping the club to earn promotion."

I would like to thank Everton for giving me the chance to take up this position with Hibernian and now I just can't wait to get started; helping the club to earn promotion.

Alan Stubbs

Chief executive Leeann Dempster was thrilled to have Stubbs on board for next season and revealed he will play an integral role in the club's new structure.

Dempster said: "There were strong candidates who applied for the position but after much consideration, Alan emerged as the stand-out choice.

"It's important that the CEO and head coach are very much on the same page and that they forge a close working and trusting partnership. I spoke with Alan and it became apparent early in the discussions that we had a common goal.

"He is a driven, intelligent and strong-minded character, who has a very clear vision about what he wants to achieve in football, producing positive results, playing attractive football and developing young players.

"All those attributes fitted the criteria we required and we're confident Alan is the right man to unite the club and bring success to Hibernian.

"Alan will be our head coach and that is part of the new structure in place at the football club; a continental-style model designed for continued long-term success."

Everton boss Roberto Martinez said: "We wish Alan the very best of luck. The reality is when you work well and do things well, people will take notice.

"It reflects the excellent work done last season at the club and means it has been seen from the outside as well.

"We're proud when those individuals that are Everton through and through get noticed and are given rewards and opportunities."